Cats will run out from Choa Chu Kang flat when they’re hungry, say neighbours

At least 30 cats are being hoarded inside a flat in Choa Chu Kang, with the stench from within strong enough to be detected from outside.

The unit is located in Block 16 Teck Whye Lane, reported Shin Min Daily News.

Couple living in Choa Chu Kang flat not taking good care of cats: Neighbour

A neighbour named only as Mr Wang (transliterated from Mandarin) told Shin Min that a couple lives in the unit, which is near his.

The 40-year-old restaurant owner estimated that they had at least 30 cats but “don’t take good care of them”.

As their faeces isn’t cleaned up, the stench from the flat in so strong that it can be detected from the corridor, as well as upstairs and downstairs, he said.

Cats meow from inside locked Choa Chu Kang flat

When reporters visited the flat on Thursday (9 Jan), its door was open but iron grille was locked.

While nobody was at home, at least 20 cats of different sizes could be seen inside the unit.

They gathered at the door when they saw a person there, meowing as if wanting to be fed.

Several kittens aged a few months old were seen inside the unit. One of them lay on the floor, appearing to be sickly.

A bad odour also wafted out from the dwelling.

One of the cats even climbed up the grille, as if it was trying to escape.

When reporters visited the flat again on Friday (10 Jan), the same observations were made.

No residents were seen in the unit for those two days.

Cats sometimes leave flat to look for food

A neighbour told the paper that a couple in their 30s lived in the unit, having moved in about three years ago.

However, the husband is believed to be in jail and his wife hasn’t been seen for three days.

The woman would occasionally return to feed the cats, he said, but sometimes the cats would leave the flat to look for food.

Once, they even entered his flat, he added.

A stallholder at a coffee shop in the block said three of the cats came to her coffee shop a few days ago, looking hungry.

But they had to chase them away as animals are not allowed in the coffee shop.

That wasn’t the first time they’ve come looking for food, she added.

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